Manufacture of artificial fibers for spinning



Feb 20, 1940. J. KLEINE ET AL 2,191,296

MANUFACTURE-0FARTIFICIAL FIBERS FOR SPINNING Filed Nov; 15, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Johannes Kleine Walther Zegac/ze Paul lSaffert Inventors By T/aeirAfforneys mmci Feb. 20, 1940. J. 'KLEINE ET AL MANUFACTURE 0F ARTIFICIAL FIBERS FOR SPINNING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 13. 1935 EQEQ ME km h m wm K m/m ...ef 2a nw mm ha J WP By TheirA fforneys who.

Feb. 20, 1940. .1. KLEINE El AL MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FIBERS FOR SPINNING Filed Nov. 13, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jb/zannea Klezne Walther Zeasc/ze Paul Safferzf In vemors ByT/zeirAtforneys WMA Patented Feb. 20, 1940 2,191,296 MANUFACTURE or .urrmromr. mans FOR SPINNING Johannes Kleine,

Premnitz, and Paul Saffert,

many, assignors to Aktiengesellschaft,

Germany Dessau, Walther Zetzsche,

Bitterfeld, Ger- I. G. Farbenindustrie Frankfort on the Main.

T Application November 13,1935, Serial No. 49,536 lnGermany November 14, 1934 3 Claims.

'Our present invention relates -'to an apparatus for the production of curled rayon staple fibers. An object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus reducing substantially the required space to satisfy the great demand which has sprung up within the last few years in factories making artificial spinning fibers when operating according to the methods described in U. S. Patent No. 1,971,627 or- French Patent 625,049.

Still another object is the saving of large quantitles of liquids required for .the spinning baths.

specification following hereinafter: Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a device for manufacturing artificial spinning fibers according to this invention,

Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically a modified device for manufacturing artificial silk according to this invention, j

Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically afurther modification of a device according to this invention,

80 Fig. 4 shows an arrangement for pressing a sliver according to this invention with a channel under the rollers for guiding away the liquid and roof-shaped pieces of sheet metal for leading away the liquid flowing through the perforated $5 conveyer band,

Fig. 5 shows the manner in which the sliver is lifted from the conveyer band,

Fig. 6 shows a further modification of a device according to this invention, m Fig. '7 shows a roller provided with bosses for imparting a profile to the sliver,

Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of tubes near a guiding roller for treating the under side of the sliver, and

Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of a driven perforated hollow roller over which the sliver passesand a' tube arranged inside the roller for spraying liquid against the under side of the sliver.

Wehave found that artificial spinning fibers which have already been cut in an operation performed directly behind the precipitating bath or after the threads have been partly or completely deacidified, and which then have been subjected to the chemical or other after-treatment, in the form 01' a sliver, exhibit a remarkably good capacity for being spun, in particular a stable crimping and good mechanical properties. It was not to be anticipated that the process of the invention would yield a wavy thread exhibiting when spun a good adhesion between the individual fibriles without a separateoperation for producing the crimping necessary for the further working up into textiles. An especially good crimping effect is obtained when viscose rayon fibers are cut, while still in acid condition or preferably while the thread is only freshly coagulated and not yet decomposed, then loosened by a suitable watering device and in this condition, subdivided as uniformly as possible, brought to the chemical after-treatment and purification on conveying devices, on which the whole of the after-treatment may occur.

The endless fiber band coming from the spinning nozzles is out before or after having been deacidified and floated with water through a loosening device on a perforated conveyer band. The fibers are deposited on this conveyer band in the form of a sliver. In this form the fibers are subjected to the complete after-treatment by irriga tion. The conveyer bands must be resistant to the chemicals with which they come into contact; a perforated band of rubberv or resistant sheet -metal may be used or a band of wire gauze or of a textile material may be suitable. One single conveyer band of sufficient length may be used or separate conveyer bands may be used for each different treatment. The irrigation is produced by the known spraying apparatus and is effected over such a length of the conveyer band that the treatment is complete throughout the sliver. Between the different treatments the sliver is squeezed by means of squeezing rollers. The liquid after passing through the sliver flows through the perforated conveyer band'and is collected. Suitable devices may be arranged between the upper and the lower part 'of the fiber band in order to protect the lower part of the conveyer band from the action of the liquids so that the action of the liquids on the band is reduced to the absolute necessary. The arrangement of a trough at the place where the fibers are floated on the band for collecting the floating water is of particular importance since the large quantities of water would exert a strong mechanical and chemical strain on the lower part of the band. In the case of acid liquid the collecting of the liquid is still more important because of its deleterious chemical influence. If the conveyer band is subdivided it is preferably arranged so that the sliver is guided upwards to the squeezing rollins and after having passed the squeezing rollers sliver again falls. back on the conveyer band.

This involves the advantage that the liquid retained in the perforated conveyer band by capillary forces is not sucked back into the sliver. In order to promote the treatment a pair of squeezing rollers may be arranged in the middle of the; length over whichone treatment lasts.

In order to promote the treatment inthe lower layers ofthe sliver the lower roller of the pair of squeezing rollers may be grooved whereby the band. is made thinner. This furthermore involves the advantage that the liquid more easily flows ofl. For the same purpose of facilitating the treatment of the lower layers with the treating liquid a roller provided with bosses may operate against one of the rollers supporting the conveyer band and thus imparts to the silver passing between the two rollers a profile. In order to increase the washing effect the sliver may also be passed over a driven perforated hollow roller. In the interior of the hollow roller a spraying device is arranged for spraying liquid against the under side of the sliver which passes 'over the hollow roller.

The accompanying diagrams illustrate the kind of apparatus in which the process can be applied.

Referring to Fig. 1, the freshly produced band 11, consisting of endless individual fibers, is cut or torn, .while still in fresh condition, in a device marked-b and is brought over a bridge piece, for example a moistening trough c, to a watering device (I, for instance such as is described in U. S. Patent I -To. 1,627,037. By this device dthe bundle of fibers is opened up and, if desired with the use of a second watering trough is spread in the form of a sliver uniformly on the whole working breadth of the conveyer band e. In- Fig. l, for the sake of simplicity, only one conveyer band with the necessary appendages is shown for the whole after-treatment. The conveyer band is permeable for liquid and consists either of perforated or. woven material resistant tochemicals. The band is endless and runs on the rollers 1, h, which drive it. Between the rollers 1, ii the band is carried either on a perforated table or, as shown in Fig- 1, on rollers g which are preferably driven. Above the band there are arranged troughs supplied continuously with the chemicals necessary for theafter-treatment and liquids for washing, for instance at h washing occurs, at i treatment with sulfite, at k a second washing, at l a treatment with hydrochloric acid, at m a third washing and at n the treatment with soap solution. At the discharge end of the conveyer the excess of liquid is expressed by a roller in cooperation with the conveyer roller /1. The several liquids used in the treatment run away into receptacles, not shown in the drawings. 1

It is important that the silver should maintain its position during the wet treatment and should not be broken up by the water jets in 'a transverse direction. Therefore, on the upper face of the conveyer band a guide 3) is arranged which may consist of either stationary strips against which the sliver slides with the smallest pos-.

' aromas sible amount of friction,.or walls travelling with the band, such-walls being constructed, for example, of chains with corresponding chain wheels.

In Fig. 2 is shown a similar apparatus in which the conveyer band is subdivided, the separate bands e, ei, e2, etc., being preferably inclined, so that'owing to .back flow of the treating liquids against the direction of travel of the bands the liquids are better used. Short transfer bands 8, s1, etc., bridge the distance between one conveyer and the next. These may be perforated and in order to avoid, as far as possible, the transfer of liquid from one conveyer to the next expressing rollers o, 01, 02, etc., oo-operate with the conveyer rollers I, f1, f2, etc.

In Fig. 3 a modified apparatus for working up the sliver collected on the conveyer band is shown. In this arrangement the squeezing roll- 1 ers oq are mounted above the conveyer band e.

The guide 31 of the conveyer band shown in I Fig. 1 has been omitted as being unnecessary if the band is large enough. Below the squeezing roller there are arranged channels t which guide the squeezed liquid into the collecting troughs u arranged betweenthe upper and lower part-of the conveyer band. The sliver is passed on a separate conveyer band for the treatment with soap because in this casenickel wire gauze is used.

Fig. 4 shows an arrangement in which a smooth squeezing roller is arranged above a grooved roller. The all er is squeezed between the two rollers and the liquid flowing oil is guided in a collecting vessel by means of a channel arranged below the squeezing rollers. Between the upper and the lower'part of the conveyer band a roof-shaped distribution plate is ar--- ranged which distributes the liquid flowing durconveyer band so that it passes over the lower part of the band and flows directly into the collecting vessel.

In Fig. 5 is shown how the band is squeezed once more in the middle between the squeezing rollers arranged at the end of'each treatment.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 2 with the difference that the squeezing rollers are mounted so that the band is not pressed by them. After the silver has been pressed it falls back on the next conveyer band.

Fig. 7 shows a roller provided with bosses. This roller may be arranged so as to co-operate with one of the supporting rollers as shown in Fig. 3. By this roller the sliver receives a profile as a consequence of which the lower strata of the sliver are more intensely treated. Such an improved treatment of the lower strata of the I sliver which is lifted for passing over the guide roller. According to Fig. 9 the sliver is guided over a hollow perforated roller which is driven.

so that it has'a peripheral velocity equal to the speed at which the sliver advances. In the 'hollow'roller a perforated tube is mounted for spraying liquid through the hollow roller against the lower side of the sliver whereby the effect ing the treatment through the upper part of the of thetreating liquid is considerably increased. 7

Such a hollow roller with a perforated tube mounted inside is shown in Fig. 6 as assisting the washing effect before the sliver is treated with the soap solution.

The finished after-treated and squeezed sliver, in which the individual flbriles have not varied or have very little varied from their original relative position, is either wound to a roll indicated by r in the drawings or conducted continuously and directly to a mechanical drying device, not shown in the drawings.

After the drying or after the adjustment of the degree of moisture, the artificial fibers, after I they have been opened, show a surprising capacityfor spinning.

The process and the apparatus may be used in the manufacture of all wet spun artificial fibers, for instance artificial fibers from ammoniacal copper oxide solution; in the case of copper fiber it is important that the fibers should be cut or torn before the final conversion into cellulose.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for the continuous production of curled rayon staple fiberscomprising a cutting device capable of cutting a bundle or sliver of continuous rayon filaments, attached thereto a device capable of loosening the staple fiber cuttings and of forming a continuous fleece of fibers, a perforated conveyer band operatively connected therewith so as to receive and forward the continuous fleece, a number of sprinklers mounted above said conveyer band to soak said fleece with a plurality of treating and washing liquids, and squeezing rollers arranged above said conveyer band and between the particular sprinkling devices.

2. An apparatus for the continuous produc tion of curled rayon staple fibers comprising a cutting device capable of cutting a bundle or sliver of continuous rayon filaments, attached thereto a device capable of loosening the staple fiber cuttings and of forming a continuous fleece of fibers, a perforated conveyer band operatively connected therewith so as to receive and forward the continuous fleece, said perforated conveyer band being slightly inclined to the vertical and mounted on rollers, a number of sprinklers mounted above said conveyer band to soak said fleece with a plurality of treating and washing liquids, and squeezing rollers arranged above said conveyer band and between the particular sprinkling devices.

3. An apparatus for the continuous production of curled rayon staple fibers comprising a cutting device capable of cutting a bundle or sliver of continuous rayon filaments, attached thereto a device capable of loosening the staple fiber. cuttings and of forming a continuous fieece of fibers, a perforated conveyer band operatively connected therewith so as to receive and forward the continuous fleece, a number of sprinklers mounted above said conveyer band to JOHAN'NES KLEINE. i WALTHER ZEIZSCHE.

'PAUL. SAFFERT. 

